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Scrub Typhus										Related Pages
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			Signs and SymptomsDiagnosis and TestingTreatmentPrevention
		
Scrub typhus, also known as bush typhus, is a disease caused by a bacteria called *Orientia tsutsugamushi*. Scrub typhus is spread to people through bites of infected chiggers (larval mites). The most common symptoms of scrub typhus include fever, headache, body aches, and sometimes rash. Most cases of scrub typhus occur in rural areas of Southeast Asia, Indonesia, China, Japan, India, and northern Australia. Anyone living in or traveling to areas where scrub typhus is found could get infected.
Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms of scrub typhus usually begin within 10 days of being bitten. Signs and symptoms may include:
Scrub typhus escharFigure 1. Eschar at site of chigger bite
Fever and chills
Headache
Body aches and muscle pain
A dark, scab-like region at the site of the chigger bite (also known as eschar)
Mental changes, ranging from confusion to coma
Enlarged lymph nodes
RashPeople with severe illness may develop organ failure and bleeding, which can be fatal if left untreated.
Diagnosis and Testing
The symptoms of scrub typhus are similar to symptoms of many other diseases. See your healthcare provider if you develop the symptoms listed above after spending time in areas where scrub typhus is found.
If you have recently traveled, tell your healthcare provider where and when you traveled.
Your healthcare provider may order blood tests to look for scrub typhus or other diseases.
Laboratory testing and reporting of results can take several weeks, so your healthcare provider may start treatment before results are available.Top of Page
Treatment
Scrub typhus should be treated with the antibiotic doxycycline. Doxycycline can be used in persons of any age.
Antibiotics are most effective if given soon after symptoms begin.
People who are treated early with doxycycline usually recover quickly.Top of Page
Prevention
Adult and larval chiggersFigure 2. Adult and larval chiggers (mites) on the head of a pin
No vaccine is available to prevent scrub typhus.
Reduce your risk of getting scrub typhus by avoiding contact with infected chiggers.
When traveling to areas where scrub typhus is common, avoid areas with lots of vegetation and brush where chiggers may be found.If you will be spending time outdoors:
Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellentsexternal icon containing DEET or other active ingredients registered for use against chiggers, on exposed skin and clothing.
Always follow product instructions.
Reapply insect repellent as directed.
Do not spray repellent on the skin under clothing.
If you are also using sunscreen, apply sunscreen before applying insect repellent.
If you have a baby or child:
Dress your child in clothing that covers arms and legs, or cover crib, stroller, and baby carrier with mosquito netting.
Do not apply insect repellent onto a child’s hands, eyes, or mouth or on cuts or irritated skin.
Adults:  Spray insect repellent onto your hands and then apply to child’s face.
Treat clothing and gear with 0.5% permethrin or purchase permethrin-treated items.
Permethrin kills chiggers and can be used to treat boots, clothing, and camping gear.
Treated clothing remains protective after multiple washings. See product information to learn how long the protection will last.
If treating items yourself, follow the product instructions carefully.
Do NOT use permethrin products directly on skin. They are intended to treat clothing.Top of Page
							
					
						Page last reviewed:  November 13, 2020					Content source: 	Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID), Division of Vector-Borne Diseases (DVBD) homeTyphus Fevers Home
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